Reduce ProSeries Headaches: Hosting ProSeries in Azure Virtual Desktop

Every tax season, the same headaches pop up: ProSeries data file locks, slow VPNs, random printer glitches, and that sinking feeling when month-end collides with e-file deadlines. Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) cuts the chaos by running ProSeries on secure, cloud-hosted Windows desktops so your team can work from anywhere, fast, consistent, and without the “who has the file open?” scramble.

Southwest Cloud Partners sets up, secures, and supports AVD for accounting teams across Las Vegas & Henderson, so you can focus on returns, not firefighting.

What is Azure Virtual Desktop and why it fits ProSeries

AVD delivers full Windows desktops and apps from Microsoft Azure. With ProSeries installed in the cloud (either on a central app/DB server and accessed from AVD desktops, or directly on each desktop image), users connect over an encrypted session from any device, PC, Mac, Chromebook, even iPad. Because the app runs next to the data in Azure, it feels snappy, even for multi-user tax files.

In plain English: Instead of sending big ProSeries files over a flaky VPN to laptops, AVD brings the screen to you and keeps the heavy lifting in the cloud.

The typical architecture we deploy

• AVD Host Pool: Pooled (shared) desktops for most staff; personal desktops for partners or power users.
• ProSeries App/DB Server: Centralized install with shared data folder; tuned for multi-user performance.
• Identity & Access: Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) with MFA and Conditional Access.
• Management & Security: Central patching, Defender for Endpoint, application allow-listing, and role-based access.

The big wins (and how they show up on your busiest days)

• Speed & stability: No more file corruption from home Wi-Fi dropouts or shaky VPNs. Latency-tolerant streaming keeps ProSeries responsive.
• Fewer file-locking “gotchas”: Everyone works from the same, well-governed data location, no mystery copies living on C:\ drives.
• Printing & scanning that actually works: Map firm printers, enable redirection from home devices where appropriate, or standardize “print to PDF → route to firm printer.” We validate your critical forms in pilot.
• Security first: MFA, conditional access by device/location, least-privilege admin, and immutable backups to protect client PII.
• Scale on demand: Add seasonal preparers quickly; remove them after April without buying hardware.
• Business continuity: A dead laptop doesn’t kill a workday; sign into AVD from any spare machine and keep going.

Licensing & compliance notes (straight talk)

• Microsoft licensing: AVD requires eligible licenses. We’ll confirm what you have and fill gaps.
• ProSeries licensing: Keep using your existing Intuit licenses. Deployment modes include network installs and multi-user configurations; we’ll align with Intuit’s terms and your edition.
• Compliance: We design with IRS Pub 4557 safeguards and the FTC Safeguards Rule in mind—access controls, encryption, monitoring, and documented policies.

Not sure if your current licenses qualify? We audit what you own and give you a simple “use as-is” or “here’s what to add” plan.

Cost model (predictable, with knobs to control spend)

• Azure consumption: Compute, storage, and backups in your tenant. We control costs via autoscale, start-on-connect, and schedules.
• Licensing: Microsoft (AVD eligibility) + your existing ProSeries licenses.
• Our management: Flat per-user or per-environment fee covering monitoring, patching, backups, security, and help desk.

Result: Usually similar to on-prem total cost—but with better performance, security, and agility (and no surprise hardware refreshes).

Printing & scanning—practical tips

• Standardize “Print to PDF → firm printer” for critical filings to avoid home-driver oddities.
• Keep key office printers as network devices; pre-map them in the AVD image.
• For scanning, prefer network scanners that drop to a shared folder your AVD users can reach; validate TWAIN-based workflows during pilot.
• Save default print profiles to the golden image so every seasonal hire gets the same experience on day one.

Backup, DR, and rollback confidence

• Nightly snapshots with immutability.
• 3-2-1 backups (including off-region copy).
• App-aware backups for consistent ProSeries data.
• Fast rollback plan documented and tested pre-season.

Migration plan (how we get you there without drama)

1. Discovery: Inventory ProSeries version, add-ons, integrations, print/scan needs, and seasonal headcount.
2. Design: Right-size AVD, storage, profiles, and policies; confirm licensing.
3. Pilot: 3–5 power users run real-world scenarios (printing, e-file, portal exports). We fix what’s rough.
4. Cutover: After hours or weekend; structured validation checklist; rollback plan on standby.
5. Stabilize: Hyper-care for 2–4 weeks, utilization tuning, and user training.